Permanent Supportive Housing Service Coordination Specialist

General Statement of Duties:

This position performs a key role in assisting individuals with serious mental illness and possibly co-occurring substance use disorders, and/or physical disabilities who have experienced chronic homelessness. The position focuses on helping enrolled individuals of the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program to achieve stability and improve their quality of life by providing support and connecting them to necessary services.

The Service Coordination Specialist is directly accountable to the PSH Supervisor.

Persons in this class are classified non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Major Essential Functions:

• Conduct assessments to determine individual needs and goals.
• Develop and implement individual service plans, regularly assessing progress.
• Provide ongoing support to individuals to help them maintain housing stability.
• Assist participants with activities of daily living, such as budgeting, setting up appointments, transportation to food banks and health care appointments, and accessing healthcare.
• Link participant with appropriate community-based services including mental health, substance use treatment, medical care, employment services, and legal assistance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for individual housing staff and service providers.
• Monitor and ensure participant is connected to necessary services and advocate on their behalf when needed.
• Address immediate concerns, such as eviction threats or personal crises, and respond to emergency situations.
• Supporting clients and PSH team with move-in and move-out process.
• Provide or facilitate access to immediate support services in times of crisis.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to access benefits, resources or legal protections.
• Documentation and reporting: Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in compliance with program and agency requirements, and confidentiality regulations. Completes all necessary documentation for participant’s involvement in PSH program, included but not limited to, housing stabilization plan, individualized service plan, and contact notes.
• Track progress towards goals and document service delivery.
• Work closely with other PSH team members and support service providers to ensure comprehensive care. Serves as a back up to PSH Case Manager and Housing Specialists to ensure service continuity.
• Will be trained and certified as an SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) specialist.
• Conducts annual apartment inspections to ensure the housing meets Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Quality Standards for PSH participants.
• Demonstrates a desire and willingness to continue growing and learning professionally, as evidenced by participation in appropriate workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Participates in treatment team meetings for PSH participants as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the PSH Supervisor, ensures the program is adhering to housing first principles and the permanent supportive housing model.
• Use Evidence Based Practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care in provision of services.
• Make effective use of available technology, including computers, e-mail, voice mail, and electronic health records.
• Maintain effective relationships with co-workers and customers based on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
• Perform other duties as agency needs require.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of community resources and housing-first models.
• Ability to work with diverse populations, including individuals with mental health and substance use issues.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and crisis management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Experience in case management, social services and/or supportive housing is preferred.
• Basic computer literacy and word processing skills required.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and navigate stairs.

Additional Requirement:

• Possession of a valid Virginia driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current ability and willingness to transport clients in an agency vehicle.
• Willing to be trained in Mandt, Medication Administration, CPR Certification, First Aid Certification.
• Able to be certified as a Qualified Mental Health Case Manager.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in human services/related specialty OR any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Other Information:

Work Equipment: Smart Phone, calculator, computer and related software.

Work Environment:

• General office environment with normal lighting levels, temperature, air quality, ventilation and noise levels.
• Community settings and client housing.

Work Location: 1241 N. Main St. office and other community sites as necessary.

Work Hazards:

• Standard hazards associated with a mental health treatment environment.
• Standard hazards associated with human service residential environment including hazards associated with problem behaviors.
• Use of universal precautions required.

Work Schedule:

• Monday through Friday, regular office hours (8am-5pm); additional hours as needed to perform job requirements.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board Is A Leading Provider in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services. We are one of 40 community-based public providers of mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability services throughout Virginia. The Commonwealth has designated the 40 CSBs as the single point of entry into publicly funded behavioral health and developmental services. HRCSB is supported through local, state and federal funds. We provide an array of programs and supports directly and through partnerships with other providers.